Now Commenting On:

Reviewed game-ending DP thwarts shot at rally

7/12/14: John Farrell challenges the out call at first to end the game in the top of the 9th inning, and after review the call is confirmed

By Mike Vernon
/
MLB.com |

HOUSTON -- Red Sox manager John Farrell unsuccessfully challenged on the final play of Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Astros.

Farrell contested that Dustin Pedroia beat out a throw from Jose Altuve to first base on a double play that he grounded into to end the game. Pedroia had hit a grounder to Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez, who flipped it to Altuve to get the first out before turning and throwing out Pedroia at first.

"Once again, we built a great opportunity for ourselves with a couple guys on, and unfortunately as we did in the fifth, in the ninth inning we roll into a double play that keeps us cashing in on any opportunities," said Farrell.

"I was talking to the second-base umpire and I asked him what he thought, and he said he wasn't looking," Houston reliever Chad Qualls said. "I was like, 'What do you mean you weren't looking?' He was like, 'I was calling the guy out at second.' I said, 'Oh yeah, that's a pretty good excuse.' Once I saw the replay, I felt confident they couldn't overturn that." The play resulted in the Astros' win and the Red Sox three game winning streak to come to an end. Farrell has challenged 20 calls so far this year, and is 11-for-20 in getting them overturned.

Mike Vernon is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.